RUN BALMORAL

All the races are held on traffic-free roads or trails within the spectacular setting of the Balmoral estate.

The Stena Drilling 10K takes you through some beautiful Highland scenery on the Balmoral Estate and will be clearly marked and well marshalled. The early part of the course is relatively fast on smooth tarmac, however from approximately 3.5K the course rises quite steeply up through the woods of Garmaddie for approximately 1.2K!

At the top of the famous “Hill” you will be met by the sound of the pipes before you enjoy the descent, which continues on the estate tracks for approximately 3K. Near the bottom of the hill there is a green footbridge, which needs to be negotiated with care.

After this the route descends further and joins the fast, smooth tarmac for the return section back to Balmoral Castle and the final 300 metres to the finish line gantry.

You are strongly advised not to wear racing shoes but use a sturdier training shoe with good cushioning instead. On the hill will slower runners / walkers please keep to the left leaving the right hand lane free for runners.

ENTRY INCLUDES
Finisher's technical t-shirt
Finisher's medal
Electronic timing
Downloadable finisher's certificate
Free parking
Event Village at the finish
FREE admission to the grounds, gardens and exhibitions at Balmoral

• All entrants must be 16 years of age or over on the day of the race
• Large water containers with taps will be located in the start/finish area from which runners can refill their own containers
• Course: Lovely scenery, lovely hill! Smooth Tarmac and Land Rover tracks

The Harbour Energy 5K all takes place on estate tarmac roads. The race begins heading west from the Castle adjacent the river Dee to a turn point at the Highland Pony Stud. There is a slight incline as the route returns to the castle via the “top road” which has magnificent views of Balmoral Castle and gardens.

ENTRY INCLUDES
Finisher's technical t-shirt
Finisher's medal
Electronic timing
Downloadable finisher's certificate
Free parking
Event Village at the finish
FREE admission to the grounds, gardens and exhibitions at Balmoral

• All entrants must be 15 years of age or over on the day of the race
• There are no water stops on the 5K route
• Course: Smooth Tarmac all the way within the Balmoral Estate. Glorious views of the Castle and gardens with a slight incline at the half way point.

The race where some of our national and International runners started! The race is completely contained on tarmac roads in the estate and passes right in front of Balmoral Castle! Well marshalled and signed throughout with a lead cyclist and sweep runner.

The race starts and finishes at the main finish gantry. The start is operated by age bands – the oldest at the front, the youngest at the back. Participants will be called to the assembly area prior to the warm up. Placards will be clearly displayed, e.g. Primary 4 and you should line up behind the placard indicating the school year that you are in.

After the warm up you will be taken to the actual start line. To keep warm before and after the run wear warm clothing and bring waterproof clothing. If you need an inhaler etc, make sure it is brought with you on the day.

ENTRY INCLUDES
Finisher's technical t-shirt
Finisher's medal
AMAZING goody bag!
Electronic timing
Downloadable finisher's certificate
Free parking
Event Village at the finish
FREE admission to the grounds, gardens and exhibitions at Balmoral

• All entrants must be 11 years of age and under on the day of the race.
• Parents of young children can run with their child but you will be placed at the back of the field of runners.
• Course: Smooth Tarmac all the way within the Balmoral Estate. Glorious views of the Castle and gardens with good signage and marshalling throughout.

Once past primary School age many of our runners graduate to the 2.5K event. The race is completely contained on tarmac roads in the estate and passes right in front of Balmoral Castle! Well marshalled and signed throughout with a lead cyclist and sweep runner. The race starts and finishes at the main finish gantry.

The start is operated by age bands – the oldest at the front, the youngest at the back. Participants will be called to the assembly area prior to the warm up. Placards will be clearly displayed, e.g. Primary 4 and you should line up behind the placard indicating the school year that you are in.

After the warm up you will be taken to the actual start line. To keep warm before and after the run wear warm clothing and bring waterproof clothing. If you need an inhaler etc, make sure it is brought with you on the day.

ENTRY INCLUDES
Finisher's technical t-shirt
Finisher's medal
AMAZING goody bag!
Electronic timing
Downloadable finisher's certificate
Free parking
Event Village at the finish
FREE admission to the grounds, gardens and exhibitions at Balmoral

• Open to children aged 11 years to 15 years.
• Course: Smooth Tarmac all the way within the Balmoral Estate. Glorious views of the Castle and gardens with good signage and marshalling throughout.

Aberdeen based engineering and project services provider Apollo are our sponsor for the duathlon featuring a 16K mountain biking stage with a 6k run to start and a 5k run to finish.

The route will take runners circuit out in front of the Castle, then on a tough little 6k with transition to bike on the event field before heading out around the scenic Ripe Hill loop with stunning views of Lochnagar, steady ascents and long descents! Then its transition time again before the final loop of the Wee Trail.

The Duathlon has a number of rules and regulations, which competitors must adhere to throughout the event. We do try to keep the rules and regulations to a minimum so everybody can have a great and enjoyable race. Please ensure you have read and understood the rules and regulations prior to the event day.

N.B. To put all riders on and even footing this event is to be competed on a Mountain Bike. Cycle cross, race or hybrid bikes are not allowed.

LOCAL BIKE HIRE AVAILABLE FROM BIKE STATION BALLATERBike Station Ballater
You can hire bikes locally from our partner: Dan Whitehead, Bike Station Ballater

https://www.bikestationballater.co.uk/bike-hire

07552 169272 / 013397 54004

Cost is £30 for hire, collect bike at the event and return at the event.

To book, competitors can text 07552 169272 with their name, approx height and say “Apollo Duathlon”

We’ll reserve your bike, please confirm the hire by paying the day before the event.

Alternatively you can call Bike Station Ballater on 07552 169272 / 013397 54004

Bike Station Ballater
Station Square
Ballater
AB35 5RB

Bike Station Ballater – https://www.bikestationballater.co.uk/bike-hire

ENTRY INCLUDES
Finisher's technical t-shirt
Finisher's medal
Electronic timing
Downloadable finisher's certificate
Free parking

• All entrants must be 18 years of age or over on the day of the race.
• Course: The route will take runners circuit out in front of the Castle, then on a tough little 6K with transition to bike on the event field before heading out around the scenic Ripe Hill loop with stunning views of Lochnagar, steady ascents and long descents! Then its transition time again before the final loop of the Wee Trail. The cycle is mainly tracks with some tarmac. There is a steady ascent which is quite rough (chuckies) in places. The descent is fast! The run is a tough 5K with a good up and a down and some “soft going”.
• Drinks will be available at transition
• There are NO distance markers on the course

An epic 15 miles of Highland scenery. There is something special about this event! You start in view of Balmoral Castle and run out west adjacent the magnificent river Dee before beginning a gradual climb through the Ballochbuie pine forest. Then at mile 8, you leave the river and begin a climb to the base of Lochnagar, an ascent of about 120 meters. The last 3 miles are a rush as you hurtle down towards the Castle once again; but beware..there is a sting in the tail!

ENTRY INCLUDES
Finisher's technical t-shirt
Finisher's medal
Electronic timing
Downloadable finisher's certificate
Free parking

• All entrants must be 18 years of age or over on the day of the race
• Course: Hilly, with 120 meters of ascent. The going is mostly Land Rover track although the last mile can be muddy. The route takes you out into exposed country and you should come prepared for wind, rain or even snow!
• There are 2 water stations positioned at Connachat House

Don’t be fooled into thinking the Bristow 3 Mile trail race is an easy option! This fast little trail race heads off adjacent to the river Dee before turning up hill. In just 2 miles you climb 350 Meters, before a fast descent for the last mile. A mix of tarmac, track and slippy grass, this is a true all terrain event!

ENTRY INCLUDES
Finisher's technical t-shirt
Finisher's medal
Electronic timing
Downloadable finisher's certificate
Free parking

• All entrants must be 15 years of age or over on the day of the race
• There are no water stops on the 3M route.

Can you handle the John Clark Motor Group Devil O Deeside? To dance with the Devil you have to complete the Stena Drilling 10K, Harbour Energy 5K, Bristow 15 Mile Trail race and the Apollo Duathlon!
John Clark Motor GroupThere will be two categories of winner; male with the fastest overall cumulative time and female with the fastest cumulative time. That’s it!

Times taken will be chip times so no need to cram at the front of the field if you don’t want to.

Competitors in the John Clark Motor Group Devil O Deeside will receive their T shirt and vest on the day which can be worn at each event to show that you are indeed a Devil! All finishers will receive individual race T shirts and medals for the race competed in as well as a unique souvenir on completion of the whole challenge.

All entrants must be 18 years of age or over on the day of the race.

ENTRY INCLUDES
Finisher's technical t-shirt for each race 10K, 5K, 15 Mile and Duathlon!
Competitors will receive unique John Clark Motor Group Devil O Deeside technical T shirt and vest on the event day
Finisher's medal for each race as above
Electronic timing
Downloadable finisher's certificate
Free parking
Event Village at the finish
FREE admission to the grounds, gardens and exhibitions at Balmoral on the Saturday

• All entrants must be 18 years of age or over on the day of the races

Saturday 27 April 2024 – Corporate Challenge Trophy

The StenaDrilling – Harbour Energy Corporate Team Challenge is an exciting competition embodied within Run Balmoral 2024. It provides a wonderful opportunity for you to get together with your work / colleagues to compete for the magnificent team trophy to be awarded to the RunBalmoral Corporate Team Challenge Champions 2024.

Even if your team doesn’t win the competition you and your team-mates could still come away with a great prize as another special prize will be given out to one team drawn at random from all the entries. So there’s something for everyone to go for.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
The Corporate Team Challenge results will be based on chip times. Teams can be all male, all female or mixed. Each team must have 4 runners who complete the Stena Drilling 10K and the Harbour Energy 5K. A runner from a team may compete in both races.
The finishing chip time of each of the four runners in each race will be added together to give an overall team time. The team with the lowest total combined chip time from the two races will win the Trophy.
Teams can be all male, all female or a combination of both.
When entering, all team members should take care to list themselves under the same team name i.e Stena Stags, STENA STAGS or Stena STAGS will all be read by the computer as different teams.

FAQS
CAN TEAMS BE MALE AND FEMALE?
Yes, a mix of male and female, or all male and all female.

HOW DO I REGISTER OUR TEAM?
When you enter for the individual races you will be asked if you are competing in the Corporate Team Challenge and if so what your team name is. Enter your team name but be sure to enter it in the same way for everyone i.e STENA STAGS, Stena Stags and STENA Stags will all be read by the system as different teams!

WHAT DOES THE WINNING TEAM GET?
The AMAZING stag trophy.

CAN A COMPANY ENTER MORE THAN ONE TEAM?
Yes, as many teams as they like just be sure to give each team a different team name.

HOW ARE THE TIMES / PLACINGS WORKED OUT FOR THE CORPORATE TEAM CHALLENGE?
The Corporate Team Challenge results will be based on chip times. Teams can be all male, all female or mixed. Each team must have 4 runners who complete the Stena Drilling 10K and the Harbour Energy 5K. A runner from a team may compete in both races.

Take time to visit the Albyn Hospital Event Village area where we have some exciting new exhibitors and activities this year:

Climbing Wall, Bungie Run, Superjumper
Street Sports Arena
Country Flavours of Alford
Visit Balmoral Castle
Run4It Pop-up Shop
Exhibitors

SATURDAY 27 APRIL 2024
Time Event
10.50 Primary Schools Boys Warm Up
11.00 PRIMARY SCHOOLS BOYS RACE
11.15 Primary Schools Girls Warm Up
11.25 PRIMARY SCHOOLS GIRLS RACE
11.40 Secondary Schools Warm Up
11.50 SECONDARY SCHOOLS RACE
12.15 5K Warm Up
12.30 5K RACE
12.40 Primary & Secondary Schools Presentations
14.00 10K RACE
14.15 5K Presentation
15:30 10K Presentations

SUNDAY 28 APRIL 2024
Time Event
09.30 Apollo Duathlon Race
13.00 Bristow 15 mile Trail (multi terrain race)
13.15 Bristow 3 Mile Trail Race (multi terrain race)
Presentations times to be confirmed